Observations from China

By Dennis Gengenbach, Nebraska Corn Board District 6 Director and Vice Chair

I had the opportunity to travel with the U.S. Grains Council for the 2011 Spring Corn Tour to Northeast China, where we surveyed the corn growing conditions and studied the Chinese government policies that affect acreage, marketing and demand. We met with farmers, traders and provincial officials in the northeastern China provinces of Heilongjiang and Jilin, both major corn producing areas.

My first and foremost impression of Chinese agriculture is that their farmers are focused and work very hard. The Chinese people were also impressively friendly and appeared to be extremely health conscious. Obesity in China appeared far less of a problem than what we are experiencing in the United States. The fertile Chinese soil is high quality and would be envied by many United States corn growers. I would hope that in the future we would be able to share information and technology with our farming counterparts in China. Together we will both be better able to feed the world.

It is my opinion that with a few adjustments in their planting techniques, the Chinese farmers would be able to improve their yields and lifestyles. Changes in planting depth, plant spacing and fertilization would possibly help improve corn production. It would be an incredible experience for American and Chinese farmers to further exchange information to improve and work their soils.

The 2011 Chinese Spring Corn Tour was an incredible experience for me. It was very well organized and helped us appreciate our trading partners in China. This partnership will support us in the future as we exchange ideas and information with farmers and the agriculture industry in China. The U.S. Grains Council and the Foreign Ag Service should be proud of this fine accomplishment. “People” make the difference and both organizations are comprised of exemplary individuals.

To see more pictures from the 2011 Spring Corn Tour, check out the U.S. Grains Council’s online album.